Sightseeing in Downtown Washington DC

Johnson IMAX at the National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History

Washington DC is one of the country's most popular sightseeing destinations and is filled with some of the country's most famous attractions and monuments. In Washington DC's downtown area, you will find many of the city's "must see" attractions located just a short distance from each other.

More than 25 million visitors explore Union Station in downtown Washington DC each year. Union Station is an upscale mecca of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Spread across two levels and accented by marble floors and gorgeous architectural detail throughout, you can spend hours shopping at both national retailers and local specialty shops for everything from gifts, apparel, accessories, home décor, and more. Some of the many stores and restaurants you will find here include Kashmir Imports, Out of Left Field, Express, Sam Goody, Burrito Brothers, Great Wraps, and more.

Construction on the White House first began under President George Washington in 1792, and the building became the official home of the sitting President and his family in 1800 when John and Abigail Adams moved into the White House. Free public tours of the White House are available through the White House Visitor Center daily. On a tour, you can explore the beautiful architecture, furnishings, artifacts of previous first families, and more, as well as view a 30-minute educational video about the White House. Tours must be requested at least thirty days in advance through your congressional representative, and are available only for groups of 10 or more.

The National Mall is one of the city's most visited attractions. The area has been featured in numerous TV shows and feature films, and was also the sight of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech. The National Mall is a long expanse of green grass that stretches for several city blocks between the US Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Along the National Mall, you will find numerous monuments and attractions such as the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, the Smithsonian Institute, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The Washington Monument is located at one end of the National Mall, and was built in honor of the first president, George Washington. The monument's construction is a symbol of Washington's influence, power, and elegance, and is a focal point of the city's downtown area. With a visit to the monument, you can view the 193 memorial stones that are representative of the states, cities, and and patriotic societies that have been added to the interior since 1848.

Also in the National Mall is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, more commonly referred to as "The Wall." The memorial features a massive granite wall with the names of over 58,000 US servicemen and servicewomen who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. In addition to the wall, the memorial also features three famous statues of servicemen located at the entrance of the memorial, sharing space with the adjacent Vietnam Women's Memorial.

With a visit to the Supreme Court of the United States, you can learn more about the judicial branch of our federal government. The Supreme Court is a Greek-style temple where the nine members of the high court convene. When the court is in session, you can view arguments and release of opinion, where seating is available on a first come, first serve basis. You can also enjoy a three-minute view of the proceedings or try to view an entire argument or court opinion session. Visitors can also view a short film about the history of the Supreme Court and take a self-guided tour of the building.

At the US Marine Corps War Memorial, you will find one of the country's most beloved and famous statue, the Iwo Jima Statue. The memorial honors the Marines who have lost their lives in the line of duty in all aspects of service. The Iwo Jima Statue depicts a famous scene from World War II where figures of Marines are shown raising a US flag on top of Mount Suribachi and was designed after a famous photograph. This granite structure stands 32 feet tall, and the US flag flies 24 hours a day.

With so many of Washington DC's most famous attractions and monuments located in close proximity of each other in the downtown area, these "must see" attractions are easy to access. Make plans to visit these famous attractions and monuments on your trip to the area!